Creating An Earth-Friendly Wardrobe

Fair made clothing is produced under fair labor conditions. Whether made in the USA or overseas, fair made clothes are sewn and produced by workers who earn a fair wage in their local contexts and who work under safe, humane conditions. Some examples of unfair or unsafe work conditions are: workers being forced to work long overtime hours: doors being locked to prohibit workers from leaving the premises; workers not given breaks to eat or use the bathroom.

What are environmentally friendly or eco-fabrics? They are fabrics made from fibers that are grown without harmful chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides or insecticides. Eco-fabrics are also manufactured without the use of chlorine, formaldehyde and other chemicals. These treatment agents can harm human and animal health, contaminate drinking water and pollute the earth.

Eco-Fabrics

Organic cotton is grown in an environmentally sound manner but conventional cotton is not. Here’s the dirty little secret about conventional cotton. While cotton is touted because it is a natural fiber, conventionally grown cotton uses…“ of a pound of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers to produce one t-shirt. In addition, conventionally grown cotton uses about 3% of worlds farmland yet it consumes about 25% of all insecticides and more than 10% of all pesticides used today.

Cotton is not just a fiber, but also a food. Cottonseed oil is a major ingredient in many common food items such as baked goods, snack foods and salad dressing. Cottonseed is also a major source of feed for dairy cows. Therefore, organic cotton farming improves our food supply as well as the health of farm workers, cotton producers and the earth.

Hemp is another environmentally friendly fabric. Hemp is naturally pest and weed resistant. Therefore, it can easily be grown chemically-free. The only fertilizer requirement for the hemp plant is nitrogen, which can be provided naturally by using manure. Hemp is also stronger than cotton. It looks like linen and softens with wear. In addition, hemp blocks up to 95% of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. This durable, comfortable fabric is easy to wear and care for.

Tencel is another earth-friendly fabric choice. Tencel is made from wood pulp. Most of the chemicals used in the production of this fabric are recyclable. Tencel feels like silk, cools like linen and warms like wool. Even better, tencel resists wrinkles and washes easily.

Bamboo fabric is light and cool to wear. It delivers supreme breathability and absorbency. Bamboo is also biodegradable, naturally regenerative, and manufactured without the use of chemical additives.

Soy is sooooo soft. Soy in fabric form offers second-skin comfort, luster and impressive drape. It washes easily and withstands wear. Soybean protein fiber has the advantage of being a renewable natural resource and a byproduct of food manufacturing. Eat the tofu, wear the soy!

Earth-friendly fabric options give you the opportunity to look good and feel good in your clothes. You can wear fashionable, soft, comfortable garments and know that your choice will promote a sustainable future for your children, community, the environment and yourself. Here is the best part: the clothes you will be wearing feel so much better next to your skin than conventional fabrics do. Give them a try and see for yourself.

Reused Clothing

Wearing gently used clothing conserves resources and saves you money. There are many convenient options in the Twin Cities to buy stylish second hand clothing. Purchasing used clothing from charitable and consignment shops keeps textiles out of the landfill.

Read Up

Slaves to Fashion: Poverty and Abuse in the New Sweatshops by Robert J.S. Ross, University of Michigan 2004.Let my people go surfing: the education of a reluctant businessman by Yvon Chouinard (Owner of Patagonia), Penguin 2006.

Green Tips

Establishing an organics recycling program is a great way to reduce the amount of trash an organization or household disposes. Organics include all food waste and non-recyclable or food-soiled paper products and can make up approximately 25 percent of what we throw away. This article offers tips on how to …more…

The fastest, cheapest, easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint is through energy efficiency and conservation. Plus, you’ll save yourself money in the process! Need a little boost to get started? Join the Minnesota Energy Challenge and learn from thousands of Minnesotans who have pledged to reduce their energy use—and …more…

If your office doesn’t have a recycling program, consider being a catalyst for big change by starting one yourself. See our full list of tips on how to get started (including identifying a Recycling Coordinator and selecting a Recycling Company) in our article, Green Your Office.

Did you know that roughly 73 cents of every dollar spent at a local business stays within the community, compared to 43 cents for non-local chain stores? When you buy from local businesses, you help that business employ community workers, support other local businesses, and contribute to the community’s overall …more…

As a constituent, you are your local legislators’ highest priority. Why not share your views with them and ask them to support your position? It may seem like your letters and emails will get lost in a deep, dark political hole, but don’t despair. Whether you call, fax, email or …more…

More than 600 cities nationwide are not waiting for federal action on climate change—they are taking matters into their own hands. The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement is one way cities are reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and urging government to take action. Read more about the agreement here, plus …more…

The average Minnesota family spends over $4,000 on energy (includes natural gas, electricity and gasoline) and produces over 50,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Here are some easy ways to save energy: Turn off lights and electronics (TVs, radios, computers) when leaving a room. This can help your family …more…